Syphilis is a sexual infection that causes damage to the bone, nervous system, skin. The disease is characterized by a prolonged course, a difficult cure. Let us consider in more detail such a period of pathology as tertiary syphilis, distinguish its symptoms, manifestations, methods of therapy.
What is "tertiary syphilis"?
During the disease, several periods are divided: syphilis primary, secondary, tertiary. The latter type of pathology develops directly in patients not taking courses of therapy or non-complying appointments of physicians, their recommendations. The tertiary form is a neglected stage of the pathological process. It begins approximately in 3-5 years from the moment of infection and has a specific clinical picture.
Erroneous is the assertion that people with tertiary syphilis are contagious to others. In 95-98% of all cases of infection - sexual contact. The household way (kisses, handshakes, use of the patient's hygiene products, infected with pathogenic material) can not be infected with syphilis. This is due to the fact that the pathogen sharply loses its contagiosity as it dries out.
Tertiary syphilis - symptoms
Recent studies and observations of doctors have shown that tertiary syphilis can develop even after 8-10 years from the moment of infection of the patient with pale tryponema. The very type of pathology is characterized by a prolonged course, with latent periods - a time when patients do not care about anything, the symptomatology fades. There are certain signs of tertiary syphilis.
The defeat of the skin is tertiary syphilis. They develop in a few months, sometimes years. Subjective sensations in patients are absent. Are located on the limited sites of a skin, gradually regress, leaving on the place cicatrixes. Skin lesions include:
- Bugorkovy syphilid - a nodule from the infiltrate in the dermis of the skin, somewhat protruding above the surface. Size 7 mm, color red-brown, dense in consistency. Over time, it undergoes necrotic changes with the formation of ulcers, the edges of which are even. Healing takes months with the formation of scars.
- Humming syphilis - a nodule in the subcutaneous fat, painless, has a single character. Localize on the forehead, knee and elbow joints. Initially, the Gumma is mobile, it loses mobility as it grows, an opening is formed in the center through which a gelatinous liquid is released. The diameter of the hole increases - an ulcer with uneven edges is formed.
Dysfunction of somatic systems and organs occurs in tertiary syphilis after 10 years from the time of infection. At the same time, they are struck:
- cardiovascular system ( myocarditis );
- liver (hepatitis);
- stomach - ulcer;
- the nervous system is neurosyphilis.
Tertiary syphilis - bony manifestations
When the tertiary period comes, syphilis has pronounced manifestations. Changes affect the bone system. So gums can be formed in the periosteum and spongy substance. They develop, mainly, in flat bones, tubular. Often the collarbone, skull bones, shoulder and elbow are affected. In this case, all changes in bone tissue proceed according to the type:
- Periostitis - characterized by the appearance of bone pain, which is dramatically increased at night. At the site of the lesion, swelling and swelling are formed. In the absence of the necessary therapy, soreness itself disappears after 2-4 weeks.
- Osteoperiostitis - the inflammatory process is localized in the periosteum. As the pathology progresses, it gradually changes to bone tissue. In some cases, the reverse course of the pathological process is possible - first the bone tissue is affected, then the periosteum is involved in the process.
Tertiary syphilis in the oral cavity
Often, tertiary syphilis manifests itself as a lesion of the mucous membranes of the mouth. In such cases, the gums may be of a single character, rarely the tubercles spread throughout the oral cavity. Most often formed on the surface of the tongue, a hard and soft sky. First a painful knot forms. Over time, it increases in size, after which it is opened. From the wound, the gummy rod is rejected. In its place an ulcer is formed.
This process takes 3-4 months. In some cases, it is accompanied by minor, subjective sensations:
- pain in the oral cavity;
- violation of the process of food intake.
Tertiary latent syphilis
Late tertiary syphilis often occurs in a latent form. The latent phase has a long duration, so patients may be tempted by the onset of a recovery period. However, after a lapse of time, tertiary syphilis (gum) appears on the skin again. They are formed in a small volume. Infiltrates on mucous membranes have no external changes and in their composition contain a small volume of the pathogen.
Diagnosis of tertiary syphilis
The tertiary stage of syphilis does not require special diagnostic measures. Disease doctors are easily identified by clinical manifestations, symptoms of the pathological process. In addition, in 30% of patients a special study - RPR test gives a negative result. Because of this, the main diagnostic value is acquired by:
- REEF;
- RIBT (positive in 90-100%).
In order to determine the degree of infection of internal organs and systems, additional tests are carried out:
- Ultrasound of the heart;
- ECG;
- aortography;
- X-ray of bones;
- Ultrasound of the liver ;
- research of cerebrospinal fluid.
Tertiary syphilis - treatment
Treatment of tertiary syphilis is based on the use of antibacterial agents. In this case, drugs of the penicillin series are actively used. When they are intolerant, drugs are selected individually. The doctor indicates the dosage, the frequency of admission, the duration of therapy. Efficacy directly depends on the time of the beginning of the therapeutic process, the severity of the disease.
Is it possible to cure tertiary syphilis?
Often, patients with this disease are interested in the question of whether tertiary syphilis is being treated. Doctors say that success in therapy is possible only with the early start of treatment. In addition, the outcome of tertiary syphilis depends on the degree of damage caused by the agent and organs. Often, the goal of ongoing medical activities is to stabilize, stop the progression of syphilis.
Treatment of tertiary syphilis
Tablets with tertiary syphilis should be taken in strict accordance with medical prescriptions. In this case, the doctor chooses an individual therapy scheme. Among the most common:
- Preparatory therapy - 14 days receiving Erythromycin or Tetracycline, 2 g per day (0.5 per reception). After 28 days Penicillin 400,000 units 8 times a day. After 2 weeks - the course is repeated, reducing to 14 days.
- Preparation of Erythromycin as described above, after which Penicillin Novocaine salt is used, 600,000 units 2 times a day, 42 consecutive days. The course is repeated - after 14 days another 2 weeks of therapy are carried out.
- Preparation of Erythromycin, followed by the use of Procaine-penicillin for 1.2 million units, once a day, for 42 days. The course is repeated - 2 weeks re-enter the drug after 14 days of interruption.
- Treatment of tertiary syphilis Extensillin is carried out by a single injection of 2.4 million units by intramuscularly two-stage method: dissolve previously in 8 ml of saline solution 1.2 million units in each buttock.